[MSN] Stolen Antiques Worth Rs. 26 Crore Recovered

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Stolen Antiques Worth Rs. 26 Crore Recovered

Patna: October 6, 2006

Stolen antiques recovered. Photo by Shashi UttamPatna police, on Thursday, raided two houses in Malsalami and Naubatpur areas and recovered ancient relics belonging to the Pali era with an international value estimated at Rs. 26 crore while also arresting four persons in the case, IG (Headquarters) and police spokesperson Anil Sinha said.

The three idols of Lord Vishnu, Lord Buddha, and an Yakshini, however, are not one of those idols stolen during the recent break-in into Patna Museum in which criminals walk away with 18 ancient statues worth over several crore rupees.

The raids were led by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kundan Krishnan. From Malsalami, the police recovered the stone statues of Vishnu and Buddha that were stolen from Lakhisarai some times back. The metal statue of the Yakshini, which alone is believed to have an international value of over Rs. 20 crore, was recovered during the raid in Naubatpur, Sinha said.

"So far the two crimes (the recovery of statues and burglary at Patna Museum on September 25) don't appear to be related but we are investigating the case and interrogating the four arrested men to see if there is any connection between the two," the SSP said.

http://www.patnadaily.com/